Happy Birthday to me!! I felt so blessed to be surrounded by family for my birthday in the middle of a hectic and busy week. And I was SOOOO excited when Jeff came home with a new toy for me! I've been telling him that I think I need a table saw to do some of the projects that I have in mind with wood. He really does listen to me!!... sometimes..... :)

I'm looking forward to putting this new BOSCH table saw up as soon as I get home, and to finishing the workshop in the garage. And yes, to learning the proper safety techniques when using this saw. Jason said that I need to take a picture of my fingers to post in here... so you could see that I still have them all. Oh ye of little faith. The possibilities are endless!

Fall is here. The weather is cooling, which I really don't like, but I do love the colors! The trees really put on a display this week. These beautiful trees all lead up to and surround my studio, and it was still warm enough to work outside at the beginning of the week.

The weather was beautiful for the Crescent Hill Trading Company Open House and it was a wonderful success. Mark called all excited, talking about planning for next year already!​I can get into that!!

It's been such a privilege and honor to volunteer time and sewing for AWAKE Ministries. They were getting close to the grand opening of their new Women's Shelter and were still needing window treatments so I went to work on them.

​I knew in my head what fabrics and styles were going to happen.... just needed a few minutes of time to sew up some cute valances for each room.

Check out the video above to learn more about AWAKE Ministries new Women's Shelter.

It's amazing what a difference a small amount of fabric can make in a room. Each valance only took half a yard, and the styles are SO simple to do! Throw a couple of pillows in the room made with the same fabric and, voila!, you have a custom look!

I was able to deliver sixteen window and door treatments the day I was flying out of town. The staff have them hung and the rooms are now ready for the women who will be part of this loving family to begin their recovery. So thankful for this ministry!

Jeff and I flew to Florida to drive a last load of "stuff" up in a truck to Summerville, SC for Brent and Natalie. They closed on their Florida house this week so things are settling down for them. Hopefully the move will be complete by next week.

I just want to share.... shoes are important 'stuff'. As we loaded boxes and boxes and furniture and furniture, we watched what was written on the boxes so they were put in the proper place...

​The kids and Sameeha had really cleaned out what they were moving north by selling and getting rid of LOTS of stuff in the yard sale, but we got a good laugh at Natalie's expense as these five boxes you can see in the picture are all labeled SHOES!! Of course, you keep the important things when you are moving!!

My handsome husband... Always smiling! :) and he is smiling big now that the truck is empty!!

As we unpacked boxes, I think Natalie's brother, Bish, had the best comment of the week. As he was struggling with a HEAVY box of books, he said... with a straight face "I think these books have had more of an impact on my back than they ever did my mind! LOL!!

It seems like yesterday I was looking at piles of boxes with Nat and Brent as we cleaned up after the wedding. Different house, same story! Time to put things away.

Now to get our ticket home.... I have lots of projects rolling in my head to work on in the studio next week.... Watch for the start of holiday gift ideas!!